Most definitely, Lota Onwuameze is a force in the middle for Illinois Math & Science Academy.

The bespectacled Onwuameze, a solidly built 6-foot-4 junior forward, made all-conference in the Little Ten last season as a sophomore for the Titans. It was his first year at the Aurora school.

He’s once again proving to be double trouble for opponents and has been a major reason why this edition for IMSA could leave a legacy as one of the program’s best-ever teams.

“I’ve been playing basketball since I was a little boy,” Onwuameze said. “In my mind, I think I bring our team together in a way. I move the ball and everybody has their time.

“I have my own time and we all have fun together.”

IMSA made sure to have some fun Monday night during a nonconference game at St. Edward in Elgin, bolting to a 21-1 lead after one quarter before cruising to a 51-32 victory.

Illinois Math & Science Academy’s Lota Onwuameze (34) looks to pass as St. Edward’s Jivonni Leix (3) defends in the fourth quarter of a nonconference game in Elgin on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Onwuameze led the way with a game-high 17 points and 11 rebounds for IMSA (6-4), topping it off with a pair of blocked shots and two steals.

Omar Njikam, a 6-foot-5 senior forward, added his own double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Neil Sitapara, a 6-0 senior guard, chipped in with 12 points, all coming on 3-pointers.

Owen Searcy, a 6-6 junior forward, and Anit Puri, a 6-2 senior guard, scored eight points apiece for St. Edward (4-5).

Onwuameze, who’s from Springfield, is glad to be a part of what the Titans are building.

Illinois Math & Science Academy’s Neil Sitapara (00) points out coverage against St. Edward in the third quarter of a nonconference game in Elgin on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

“I had a friend I’d known from preschool who actually got me started playing basketball,” Onwuameze said. “He’s the one who invited me to play with his AAU team, and I played in elementary and middle school.

“It’s when I started taking basketball seriously, but I stopped when I started high school. I’ve had to give up a lot of old friends I’ve made playing basketball, which was hard. But here I am now.”

After the school year, IMSA’s players go home and scatter around the state, meaning the Titans can’t run things like other programs in the summer.

Last season, Onwuameze averaged a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in his first year with the Titans. Accordiing to IMSA coach Brad Snead, Onwuameze is averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds this winter.

Illinois Math & Science Academy’s Omar Njikam (24) goes up for a basket against St. Edward in the third quarter of a nonconference game in Elgin on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

“Lota is solid,” Snead said. “He uses his body very well. He’s very skilled at his post work.”

Sitapara opened Saturday’s game in Westmont by making four 3-pointers in the first quarter.

“It really helps us when he starts like that,” Snead said of Sitapara. “It opens up our inside and then Lota can go to work. When that happens, teams collapse on Lota and we can kick it out.”

Njikam can also be a force for the Titans. He began Monday’s game with three steals in the first quarter and scored 10 of his 12 points, with three baskets on fast-break layups.

“He’s an athlete,” Snead said of Nijkam. “At 6-5, he’s long and that’s why we stick him on the point because he gets deflections. He’s our leader there and we don’t preach steals. We preach deflections because they can turn into steals and easy baskets.

Illinois Math & Science Academy’s Omar Njikam (24) and Lota Onwuameze (34) chase down a rebound in the second quarter of a nonconference game in Elgin on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

“And he’s a rebounder — a beast on the offensive glass. In our last game against Serena, he had 19 rebounds. With his size, I can stick him on the wing or inside. He’s versatile on offense.”

Njikam, a native of Chicago’s South Side, pointed out that he grew up playing in his neighborhood. He followed an older sister to IMSA, just like Onwuameze followed his older brother.

Muna Onwuameze is the Titans’ career scoring leader. His 1,100-plus points are almost certain to be topped by Lota.

“It’s within reach,” Lota said. “Muna comes to our games once in a while to make sure we’re doing good. I think this team has a ton of potential. We just need to bring it out.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/16/lota-onwuameze-imsa-st-edward-ihsa-boys-basketball/